Moving to a new city is always a significant milestone. My journey to Lancaster has been a transition through various scales of urban life: from my hometown of Qingdao, a bustling international metropolis in China, to Newcastle, a vibrant UK city where I completed my master’s degree. Now, as a PhD student in Film, I have spent the last year calling Lancaster home.

My first impression of Lancaster was its distinct sense of history and its compact, "human" scale. Coming from cities where the skyline is dominated by steel and glass, the historic stone architecture and the intimate layout of Lancaster felt like a refreshing change of pace.

The "big town, small city" advantage

One of the most immediate differences you will notice when moving from a big city is the ease of navigation. In Newcastle or Qingdao, my life often revolved around Metro schedules or long commutes. In Lancaster, everything is walkable. Living in the city centre, I can stroll to the local markets, the library, or a favourite cafe in minutes. In particular, Starbucks (which offers student discounts) and Caffè Nero (which also offers weekly discounts to customers of the mobile network operator Three).

This compact nature also contributes to a strong sense of safety and community. In a large city, it is easy to feel like an anonymous face in the crowd. In Lancaster, you quickly begin to recognise familiar faces on your daily walk. Whether I am walking back from the library late at night or heading to the gym, I have always felt genuinely safe and at ease here—a factor that is incredibly reassuring for any international student.

Nature on your doorstep

For those worried about missing the excitement of a big city, Lancaster offers something even better: instant access to nature. I enjoy walking from the city centre up to Williamson Park. Watching the sunset over Morecambe Bay from the Ashton Memorial provides a sense of mental clarity that is hard to find in a busier urban environment. If you need even more "green time," the Lake District is only a short journey away, offering a perfect escape from academic pressures.

Staying connected

Relocating to a smaller city doesn't mean you are isolated. Lancaster is situated on the West Coast Main Line, meaning big-city vibes are never far away by train. I recently travelled back to Newcastle for a friend’s wedding, and the journey was remarkably straightforward. You get the best of both worlds: a peaceful, focused environment for your studies and easy access to major hubs like Manchester or London whenever you crave a change of scenery.

Conclusion: a place to focus and thrive

Relocating to Lancaster has allowed me to find a better balance between my research and my wellbeing. If you are moving from a big city, my advice is to embrace the slower pace and the closer community. You will find that Lancaster isn't "small" in terms of opportunity; it is simply designed to give you the space you need to truly thrive.

Learn more about life in Lancaster:

• The city and beyond
• Transitioning to life in the UK